Mission adaptable portable cart/utility table arrangement

ABSTRACT

A mission adaptable multi-purpose, collapsible portable cart/utility table, for use in emergency response and disaster situations, camping, hunting and other outdoors activities, which carries medical rescue carts, canoes, small boats, game, or hauled cargo by hand. The portable cart/utility table can be converted to a various uses and the portable cart/utility table can be folded down and transported within a wheeled bin, backpack, hand carried bag, canoe or boat. It transports injured persons or cargo over long, rough terrain and it can broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back. The cart has optional removable clamps for clamping a conventional transportable carrier, such as a stretcher or stokes-type rescue carrier bed, thereto. The objects being carried can be held by clamps, by fasteners, or through the use of insertions with longitudinally extending channels. An optional pivotable kickstand and/or tie rods can stabilize the cart in a position of rest. It is collapsible, so that it can be disassembled and carried, and then reassembled at another destination along a wilderness journey.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application in part disclosed and claims subject matter disclosedin my earlier filed patent application Ser. No. 10/431,839 filed May 7,2003, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/989,376, filedAug. 24, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,529, which is a continuation inpart of my provisional patent applications, Ser. No. 60/233,138, filedSep. 18, 2000, and 60/246,014 filed Nov. 6, 2000 which both disclose inpart subject matter disclosed in my earlier filed patent applicationsfiled under Ser. No. 09/226,838 filed Jan. 7, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,142,491, Ser. No. 09/479,344 filed Jan. 7, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No.6,164,671, and Ser. No. 09/745,116 filed Dec. 21, 2000, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,270,972.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mission adaptable set of componentsfor a multiple-purpose collapsible portable cart, which may convert to autility table, for use in camping, hunting, search and rescue, and otheroutdoors activities. The cart can be easily assembled in a number ofuses, and disassembled for easy transporting of the cart in a movablestorage bin, a backpack or a hand-carried bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various single use carts exist for carrying canoes and small boats byhand. Other outdoors-oriented carts exist for carrying game. Inaddition, wheelbarrows and small carts are used for transporting gear atoutdoors locations. However, none of the existing carts can be convertedto a versatile portable cart which can interchangeably function as arescue cart with a carrier for injured persons and be converted to astationary utility table, as a portable canoe or boat cart which can befolded down and transported within the canoe or boat, as a game cart fortransporting game over long, rough terrain, or as a gear cart, all ofwhich can broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide amission-adaptable set of interchangeable components forming movable andstationary load supports and work surfaces.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a versatilemulti-purpose cart, which is quickly assembled or disassembled.

It is also an object to provide a multi-purpose cart, which quicklyconverts from one use to another.

It is further an object to provide a cart which as a stable, flatplatform for supporting cooking devices, machinery, camera tripods andthe like.

It is yet another object to provide a caravan of components for a loadsupport system, which is stable during transport over rough terrain.

It is yet another object to provide a portable collapsible cart/utilitytable with minimal fasteners.

It is yet another object to provide a portable collapsible cart/utilitytable, which can be stabilized in a position of rest.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a universallyadaptable carrier cart/utility table.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cart forcarrying medical rescue stretchers, canoes and small boats by hand,which converts to a utility table for triage and emergency medicalresponse.

It is yet another object to provide a portable search and rescuecart/utility table adapted to carry a stretcher or other carrier for aninjured person.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide anoutdoors-oriented cart for carrying game or injured parties.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a smallcart with a well for transporting gear at outdoor locations, which canbe converted to a stable utility table with a work surface.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a versatileportable cart which can interchangeably function as a stationary worksurface table, as a portable canoe or boat cart which can be folded downand transported within the canoe or boat, as a rescue cart for injuredpersons, as a game cart for transporting game over long, rough terrain,or as a gear cart, all of which can be broken down into a carryingposition, by hand or by back.

It is yet another object to provide a portable cart/utility table whichis either backpackable or which can be carried by hand.

It is yet another object to provide a carrier for transporting militaryequipment and ordnance.

It is yet another object to provide a cart-hauling clamp for pulling theportable cart/utility table behind a bicycle or motorized all terrainvehicle while resisting tipping over of the cart during directionalchange of the cart-hauling bicycle or all terrain vehicle.

It is yet another object to provide a portable cart/utility table, whichcan be used as a wheeled cart on terrain or as a ski cart on snow.

It is also an object of the present invention to improve over thedisadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In keeping with these objects and others, which may be apparent, thepresent invention relates to a universal mission-adaptable set ofstructural components forming a myriad of useful movable support cartsor stationary utility tables, which can be rapidly and accuratelydeployed in the field with minimal or no tool assembly. The cart may bea convertible, multi-purpose portable cart, for use in camping, hunting,emergency response, search and rescue operations and other outdoorsactivities, such as for carrying canoes and small boats by hand. It mayalso carry game, injured parties or be used for transporting gear atoutdoors locations. It is a versatile portable cart which caninterchangeably function as a movable or stationary medical rescuecarrier, cargo carrier, portable canoe or boat cart, which can beassembled with interfitting parts and with minimal fasteners. It can befolded down and transported within the canoe or boat, as a carry cartfor transporting game or injured parties over long, rough terrain orsnow, or as a gear cart, all of which can be broken down into a carryingposition, by hand or by back.

The cart/utility table is moved by manual pushing or pulling forceapplied to activate vehicle movement actuators, such as wheels uponterrain or skis upon snow or ice, wherein upon the exertion of force thewheels or skis cause forward or rearward movement of the portable cart.

The cart/utility table is easily assembled or disassembled by connectingits parts together, or optionally assembled from a pre-set storageconfiguration in a carry pack to an assembled structure.

The cart/utility table easily changes from one use to the other. Forexample, in one embodiment, a hollow cargo well may contain a secondloose layer, which turns into a rescue stretcher when the second layerbecomes taut when zipped up from a loose, relaxed state within the cargowell to a taut rescue stretcher for carrying injured persons thereon.

In an alternate rescue embodiment, clamps can be provided on shortenedhorizontal support members to hold rails to hold medical rescuestretcher rails, and optional handles or pivotable kickstands can befurther attached by clamps to the stretcher rails.

In military applications, the height of the vertical struts can belowered to keep the injured person on a low profile stretcher close tothe ground, to avoid visible detection. In such a case, the handles canoptionally easily rotate from a handle carry position to a stationarykickstand mode.

The portable cart is preferably under thirty (30) pounds, preferablytwenty two (22) to twenty eight (28) pounds, so that it can be carriedby hand or within a backpack over rough terrain. It is collapsible, sothat it can be disassembled and carried in a canoe or small boat, andthen reassembled with minimal assembly steps and parts, at anotherdestination along the canoe or boat's journey.

To prevent flat tires, its wheels are preferably solid core tires, whichcannot get flat, or made of cellular materials, such as medium density,micro-cellular urethane, with stainless steel bearings, over which thewheels rotate. A typical wheel has two press fit bearings adjacent to anintegrally molded hub. While the typical wheel is about 2–3 inches wide,for transporting cargo or game on sand or granular terrain, the wheelsmay be wider, such as 4–6 inches in width.

For maneuverability in snow-filled winter scenes, optional ski members,including skis, are attached to vertical braces having a lengthcorresponding to the radius of the cart's wheels. The vertical skibraces are attached to the vertical struts where the wheel axles attach.

For hardiness, the material of the structural frame components ispreferably a lightweight but resilient and strong material, such as, forexample, 60–61 T6 fully anodized aluminum, or stainless steel. In asubstantially pre-assembled optional embodiment, in a storage positionwithin a carry bag, the vertical struts are connected to horizontalsupports, which are further engaged with rails to hold a cargo well orrescue stretcher. Pivoting of the horizontal supports about eachrespective longitudinal axis to a position of rest biases theresiliently engaged rails to return to their natural position of usewhen released from the storage position.

These pivotable support and strut assemblies can be further strengthenedby optional V-shaped braces, which are positioned where each verticalstrut meets each corresponding horizontal support member.

The portable cart/utility table can hold up to 500 pounds, and formanual pulling easily pulls 300 pounds. The portable cart/utility tableis durable to carry heavy weight over rough terrain, such as rock-strewndirt trails or sloping riverbank surfaces.

To carry a canoe or boat, two horizontal load supports optionallyinclude support cushions upon which the canoe or boat rests. Theposition of the horizontal load supports can be varied to accommodatevarious widths of the canoe or boat.

To function as a game or rescue cart, the frame, such as a pair ofU-shaped rails which are joined end to end, is provided upon thehorizontal load supports to form a rounded rectangular frame, over whicha taunt, but slightly stretchable, bed of fabric is placed, such ascanvas or other flexible material, i.e., plastic or netting. The bedincludes sewn loops through which portions of the U-shaped rails of theframe are inserted. Other fabric fasteners such as clips, zippers oreyelets can be also used.

In an alternate embodiment, the boat support cushions are removable fromthe horizontal load supports and are replaced by a two-piece clamp,which attaches by at least one fastener, such as a pair of screws, tothe horizontal load supports of the cart. Conventional stretchers orpersonal rescue carriers, such as Stokes-type baskets, are clamped tothe cart within the clamps on each respective horizontal load support.In this embodiment, the boat support cushions are attached to a thinplate, such as of ⅛ inch aluminum or otherwise, which has at least onefastener such as a pair of threaded studs, insertable with therespective hole or holes in the horizontal load supports, so that theboat support cushions can be removed and replaced by thestretcher-bearing clamps.

To function as a wagon cart with a well for carrying gear, a hollowfabric well, such as of canvas, is draped between the horizontal loadmembers and over and around the front and rear U-shaped brackets. Acover may be provided to cover the gear therein. The well and cover canalso be made of other suitable flexible materials, such as plastic,netting or canvas. An optional removable hard bottom substrate floorlayer may be provided within the cargo well. While this floor layer maybe of any hard material, materials such as lightweight aluminum, wood ormarine polymer plastics are preferred.

Furthermore, the cargo cart may have an optional handle from which maybe draped a further optional accessory cargo bag. In the stretcherembodiment, where the upper layer is fastened taut, the handle may havea removable headrest pillow.

Kickstands may be optionally provided to stabilize the portablecart/utility table during rest or during loading of contents thereon.

In yet another embodiment, an anti-tipping bicycle attachment isprovided to attach the cart to a bicycle while preventing the cart fromturning over during transportation.

In one embodiment, the cart/utility table has two wheels for cargoesweighing from 300–500 pounds. However, for heavier loads, such as for600–1,000 pounds, an optional double axle version includes two pairs ofoverlapping wheels for heavier cargo. In this embodiment, the portablecart/utility table uses four wheels in the overlapped configuration,with an optional hard molded canister. In this overlapping, wheeledversion, a long axle attaches a pair of front wheels and a short axleattaches a pair of rear wheels through the respective vertical supports,although the length of the axles can be reversed. Using four wheelsdoubles the carrying capacity of the cart/utility table, and theoverlapped positioning of the pairs of wheels maintains a shortwheelbase for compactness, for maneuverability and for climbing slopesor ledges.

In the four-wheeled embodiment, double parallel rails may be providedfor additional structural strength. The overlapping, dual axle,four-wheel version gives the user extra pivot points on rough terrain.For example, pushing down upon the optional handle enables the user tolift the further away distal wheels off the ground. Furthermore, pullingupon the handle enables the user to lift the nearer, proximal wheels offthe ground.

The accessory which is placed upon the vertical supports of either thetwo wheeled or four wheeled cart/utility table, such as the rescuestretcher, the boat cushion, the cargo cart, etc., can be attachedpermanently or by fasteners to each horizontal load support member ofthe portable cart/utility table. However, in an alternate embodiment,the horizontal supports have longitudinally extending channels to slidethe accessories in on top of the horizontal supports. Furthermore, theaccessory, such as a railed rescue stretcher, can be carried by a clampwhich itself is attached to the horizontal support by insertion in sucha channel, or the stretcher can be dropped in and clamped to a pair ofrails forming the horizontal support.

This clamp upon each horizontal support member may be a one-piece clampwith a full width top section and short end pieces, which mate with andslip into a T-shaped slot channel of the horizontal support member.Alternatively, the clamp may have a full width bottom member which mateswith and slides into a T-slot of the horizontal support. In yet anotherembodiment, two short identical clamp members are inserted into theT-slots of the horizontal member at the two ends. Moreover, the clampingsections can have spring-like gripping action to be retained upontubular members, such as medical rescue stretcher rails, or the clampscan use fasteners such as fasteners, such as thumbscrews or ballplungers for retention.

In yet another embodiment, a covered canister can be held in place overthe rails of the frame of the cart, in a stable position, by virtue ofits weight being held in place upon the rails of the cart, wherein aconcave, downward facing channel engages the linear, upper convexsupport surface of each rail.

Furthermore, the cart of the present invention can be disassembled andbroken down for hand held or backpack transport and it can easily beassembled for its varied uses. Moreover, when a boat or canoe iscarried, the cart has a precision balance feature that rotates thewheels to maintain the cart in a horizontal stable position.

The convertible cart/utility table of the present invention is just oneof many modular embodiments which may be made of the present invention.Because of the interchangeability of the parts, the components of theconvertible cart/utility table can also be used for assembling a boathauling cart, a game hauling cart, a wheelbarrow-type hauling cart, alow profile stretcher, a high profile stretcher and a component of amobile emergency response system.

Furthermore, in the rescue mode, the convertible cart/utility tableallows for one person to transport an injured person instead of two on astretcher. Because of the convertibility of the cart, when the person isbrought to a triage situation for treatment and assessment, the wheelsof the cart can be easily removed without tools and replaced by one ormore kickstands to stabilize the cart.

Therefore, in its broadest sense, the present invention is a movablesupport, such as a convertible cart/utility table, which is collapsiblefor storage and transport and is able to be assembled and dis-assembledfor use in carrying a load, and alternatively functioning as astationary utility table having stationary legs instead of wheels.

In one embodiment, the convertible cart/utility table includes a pair ofmodular load support members which each includes at least one carryingstrut extending downward therefrom and a carrier.

The convertible cart/utility table is preferably carried by handles,which may be extensions of parallel rails constituting the load supportmember, or the handles may be separate handles having handle extensionmembers nesting in a receiving member of the load support for receivingan adjustably removable handle extension member, such as a tube. Thehandles may be single grips extending coaxial to the first or the secondhorizontal frame rails of the movable support.

In an alternate embodiment, the handles in a pivotable rectangular braceconfiguration, including a first set of manual grips extending betweenparallel connectors, which are further connected by a rotatabletransverse bar, to enable the handles to be rotated up to a carryingposition, or down to a storage position.

These optional pivotable handles lock in an upper position for haulingthe cart, and reverse to a lower position for storage, or in a lowprofile use, contact the ground surface for operating as a kickstand.

In addition, the handles may optionally also pivot about theirlongitudinal axis downward to reach ground level to function as akickstand for a low profile table cart, or may swing out of the way in ahigh profile cart when stored during travel or during the stationaryutility table mode.

By “low profile use” it is meant that the movable load support ispositioned low to the ground to avoid detection, such as in militaryrescues. By “high profile use” it is meant that the movable load supportis positioned higher up from the ground, such as for example, between 30and 36 inches, more or less, to allow for access to the load. Forexample, if the load is an injured person in a rescue operation, theheight is high enough to allow medical treatment personnel toconveniently treat the injured person. If the load is cargo, then theheight of the high profile movable support, such as a cart, isconvenient for stowing and removing the cargo being transported.

These axially pivotable handles may slide within a hollow support rail,and be locked in place by fasteners, such as spring pins extendingthrough respective holes in an outer wall of the hollow support rail.

Preferably, the handle includes a first hand grip located coaxially tothe handle shaft or tube and an outer second handle grip, which islocated parallel to the handle shaft or tube, which is in rigidconnection with the coaxial handle grip. Both parallel hand grips areconnected by parallel brace members laid perpendicular to the handgrips. The handle member is lockable in at least two positions, such asan upward position for hauling the convertible cart/utility table and adownward position for using the handle as a kickstand in a low profileembodiment, or for storage in a high profile embodiment.

These handles may be locked in place with a spring pin.

The longitudinally extending structural frame rails of the movablesupport can each accommodate a handle extending therefrom, each framerail having a connecting end and a handle attachment end, and aplurality of spring pin apertures for attachment of additional members.

In a preferred embodiment, there are at least two spring pins, wherein aspring pin of the plurality of spring pins reversibly protrudes a springpin aperture of the plurality of spring pin apertures located on eachrespective frame rail, such as a first horizontal tube.

Preferably, for knockdown transport, each frame rail may be made ofseveral components, such as a longitudinally extending mid sectionjoined at each opposite end to longitudinally extending first and secondconnecting end portions. A first spring pin aperture is located on eachlateral side of the connecting ends of the first horizontal tube and thesecond horizontal tube; and a second spring pin aperture is located oneach top side of the connecting ends of the first horizontal tube andthe second horizontal tube, a distance farther from the connecting endthan of the first spring pin aperture. Other pin locations areapplicable.

These assembled frame rails together accommodate optionally one or moreclamps, with at least one clamp in communication with a first horizontaltube and at least one other clamp in communication with the secondhorizontal tube, with both tubes forming the frame rails of the movableload support.

In a further alternate embodiment, one or more transverse support bars,preferable at least two transverse support bars, are substantiallyperpendicular to the pair of longitudinally extending frame rail tubes,and may optionally be in communication with a clamp holding a carrier inremovable communication with the clamp or clamps. The carrier may be arescue stretcher, Stokes carrier, cargo bin, open cargo hauling well,rack or other load support means.

The clamp may be attached to a strut through which accommodates axlestherethrough for movement actuators, such as wheels.

Optionally the clamp may be at least one clamp, reversible foraccommodating a range of sizes of carriers, including a bottom surface,an opposing top surface, and a inside surface, a clamp front surface andan opposing clamp rear surface. The bottom surface includes a pluralityof grooves for optionally receiving one of the horizontal support tubesof the frame rails, with the reverse top surface including at least onegroove for optionally receiving a horizontal support tube. Thisreversible clamp has a first bore extending from its top surface to itsbottom surface, for allowing a bolt to pass therethrough. The reversibleclamp also includes a rail-accommodating aperture extending from theclamp's front surface to the clamp's rear surface for receiving ahorizontal support tube of a frame rail, and the reversible clamp has atightening knob for securely attaching the clamp to each respectivehorizontal support tube;

The clamp also includes a latch to tighten a load support, such as astretcher or other rail in place. So that the latch does not becomeloose, the threaded securing bolt of the latch, which is threaded into athreaded bore of the body of the reversible clamp, includes a bottomflange wider than the threaded bore, which includes a reciprocal flangerecess to accommodate the flange of the threaded securing bolt. Anoptional fixed nut or flange is located at the end of the bolt, forpreventing the separation of the joinable latch and main body parts ofthe reversible clamp and the bolt from the clamp.

In a preferable embodiment, the clamp may be a heavy-duty clamp having alower portion having a first concavity for insertion above thehorizontal support tubes and a second concavity for slidable andremovable insertion of a carrier or a second carrier, a top surface anda guide boss for removable attachment of an upper portion. The upperportion has a third concavity for slidable and removable insertion of acarrier and a guide recess for removable attachment to the lowerportion. The heavy duty clamp includes a first latch rigidly connectedto the clamp's lower portion, in communication with the first concavityfor gripping the horizontal support tube of a frame rail of the loadsupport carrier securely.

The heavy duty clamp also preferably has a second latch, preferably atan upper end, which second latch is rigidly connected to an upperportion of the heavy duty clamp in communication with the thirdconcavity for gripping the load support carrier securely.

The heavy duty clamp may optionally support one or more rails holding afluid catch under the load support carrier, to catch blood and otherbody fluids if the load support carrier holds an injured person beingmedically treated thereon.

This second latch includes a lever latch for manual securing of the loadsupport carrier and a clamping jaw for forming a frictional contactforce between the latch and the frame rail of the carrier.

When the carrier is a stretcher secured to the convertible cart/utilitytable, the pitch of the stretcher can be adjusted, such as for example,to raise or lower the head of the person being treated. In this case,the stretcher carrier has a front end and a rear end, wherein the frontend of each rail is secured to a respective upper hook receptacleportion of the clamp and the rear end of each frame rail of the carrieris secured to a respective lower hook portions of the clamp, resultingin an elevation differential between the front end and the rear end ofthe second carrier. The clamps come in pairs so that the front and rearclamps on each side are equidistant from each other in length, with eachsecured to opposing horizontal support tubes of each frame rail.

In such a case of the head portion of a medical stretcher or othercarrier being raised higher than an opposite foot end, the height of therespective head and foot portions can be varied by placing the foot endin the lower hook portions of the foot clamps and the head end in thehigher hook portion of the heavy duty clamp. Optionally, the height canbe further varied by varying the height of each kickstand, wherein therear kickstand is in a position of the clearance being a minimum, andthe front kickstand is in a position of the clearance being a maximum,resulting in maximum height differential between the front end of thecarrier and the rear end of the carrier.

Additionally, the diameter of the upper latch jaw is effectively lessthen the inside diameter of the rail support concavity of the clamp forallowing the jaw to accommodate a change in pitch of the carrier, incase the carrier has to be tilted, such as for raising the head of aninjured person being treated upon the load support carrier. This latchjaw includes cylindrical portions and a contact portion including aconcave surface for evenly contacting the convex surface of thecarrier's frame rail.

Optionally, the kickstand may be a pair of kickstands, namely a frontkickstand and a rear kickstand, adjustable in width and insertablethrough the clamping means and clamped onto each end of each horizontalsupport frame rail and extending substantially vertically therefrom.

For further strength of the movable support in a stationary position ofuse as a utility table, the kickstand may include a substantiallyvertical left leg, substantially vertical right leg, and a kickstandconnecting bar detachably extending horizontally between the left andright legs. Each of the left and right legs of the kickstand may includea lower end and a height adjustable member insertable to the legs bymeans of a swivel joint for allowing the legs to rotate freely.

The height adjustable members adjust the height of each leg, preferablyby insertion of a first pin, such as a locking pin or a spring pin,insertable within a selected aperture of a plurality of pin apertures insubstantially vertical orientation, wherein the height adjustment memberis removably insertable into each leg for a predetermined incrementalheight interval, such as about one inch.

Besides this macroadjustment of the kickstand leg by selective insertionof the pin into a selected aperture, the height can be adjusted by amicroadjustment means, including the kickstand having a screw end andthe lower end of the leg includes a receptacle, for the screw end, forfine adjustment of the height of the movable support, where the distancebetween the edge of the leg of the kickstand and the lower edge of theheight adjustment member is a clearance distance.

The heavy duty clamp also includes an optional outside surface having ahinge for removably attaching at least one rotatable swivelableaccessory therefrom, wherein the accessory is an examination or surgicallamp having a flexible or hinged neck, an instrument tray, an arm or leglimb platform support or a gravity or pump fed intravenous (IV) pouchsupport having an insertable vertical rod and a component for insertioninto the vertical rod into the hinge.

The hinge accessory may include a splitting attachment having aninsertion pin for removable and rotatable communication with the hinge,and at least two hinges extending substantially vertically foradditional components in a stacking arrangement, such as, for example,one instrument tray being elevated above another instrument tray.

If there is a person with blood loss during surgery in the field, thisconvertible cart/utility table can also have an auxiliary fluid catchdraining fluids into a closed shallow bucket.

In addition, medical accessories and a power pack for lighting and forinstrument power can be attached to the cart.

In the basic cart mode a transverse member connecting the load supportmembers is not necessary, as the downwardly extending struts accommodatethe axles for one or more pairs of wheels, which act as transversesupport members for the cart in its basic transportable cart embodiment.

The load support member itself may be a) a resting member supporting aload thereon or, b) it may be a clamp. The clamp may be adjustable by ahandle, which may have a stop to prevent complete unscrewing of the studof the handle so that the clamp cannot come apart. The clamp can be apair of jaws, or it can be a longitudinally extending slider clamp wherethe load support slides into a recess between two overhangingcantilevered members extending upward from the base.

The convertible cart/utility table is also useful in military andemergency situations. For example, in addition to rescue of injuredmilitary or civilian personnel, the cart may be used in areascontaminated by toxic substances or weather related disasters. Besidesmoving an injured party in a triage situation to a treatment area in adetoxification environment caused by a weapon of mass destruction suchas gas, smoke or other noxious particles, there may be a necessity for awash of the persons so the contaminated persons can be brought by theconvertible cart/utility table to a wash area where they are firstimmediately washed of surface contaminants. In this weapons of massdestruction treatment facility there can be any one of these pieces ofequipment to wheel the injured persons to decontaminate them. If theyare not ambulatory, for any further treatment they can be brought to themedical facility.

The medical facility can set up as a fully operational ten (10) or morebed field hospital treatment facility with ten (10) or more sets of binscarried on ten or more carts, wherein each upper most bin shellcontainer of each set of containers for each bin can be tilted and movedcan be moved from a horizontal carrying position to a vertical standupright position with drawers extending outward therefrom. A mobilehospital is modular in its design. If there is a need for more than ten(10) beds, then increment units of ten can be provided and deployed to asite. For rapid deployment, the convertible cart/utility table withcargo hauling bins can be hauled by all terrain vehicles in a rapidmanner.

In addition, the convertible cart/utility table easily converts withouttools from either a wheeled embodiment to a fixed table embodimentwherein the wheels are replaced by one or more kickstands. When in theutility table mode, the cart can have extending therefrom, by clamps,one or more swivelable platforms supporting injured limbs of a person ormedical supplies such as an instrument tray, a light, an I.V. tube pole,etc. In this case, the platform is pivotable, but not removable. Itpivots like a hinge to any desired position.

Auxiliary transverse bars can be added when in the fixed tableembodiment. Additionally, there are micro and macro adjustments of theheight of the cart depending on the need for access to the injuredperson on the cart. For example, there are macro adjustments in one-inch(1″) increments to raise the cart up and there is also a microadjustment by a threaded member for up to a one-inch (1″) of microadjustment.

To hold rescue stretchers or other carrier rails, a heavy-duty utilityclamp has a concave hook portion for dropping in a stretcher rail and alower concave portion for dropping in a rail holding an auxiliary fluidcatch basin or sling. However, one end of the stretcher can be put in alower concave hook of the heavy-duty utility clamp to slant the positionof the stretcher. Furthermore, by adjusting the transverse bars and/orthe axles, the width of the utility table can be widened, so it istotally adjustable to fit any size carrier or stretcher.

In addition, in order to raise the head of an injured party, raising oneend and lowering the other end can slant the table portion. A preferableten-degree (10°) adjustment can be done with the adjustable foot heightand then there is an additional five degrees (5°) by adjusting theheavy-duty clamp and raising or lowering one end of the stretcher on theutility table.

Hinged platform arm or leg board platforms may extend from a clampattached to the frame rail of the utility table. The platforms swing outradially in a horizontal plane, to provide maximum adjustability for theposition of the limbs of a victim or for the positioning ofmedical/surgical accessories, such as intravenous stands, instrumenttrays or examination lamps. It is further noted that attached to theauxiliary arm board platforms may be poles for supporting an intravenousfluid pack or a tent to repel insects from the treatment environment.While other suitable measurements may be used, these arm board platformsare preferably six inches (6″) wide and the leg boards approximatelyeight inches (8″) wide.

The convertible cart/utility table also optionally includes a clampingmeans, which may be a latch, a pair of clamping jaws, a longitudinallyextending slotted extrusion or a receptacle.

The axle-carrying struts each have a lower end with an axle mountingmeans at the lower end and at least one axle extending through eachaxle-carrying vertical strut. Each axle has at least one vehiclemovement actuator, such as a wheel or a ski, of a pair of vehiclemovement actuators attached at opposite sides of the convertiblecart/utility table, which also has a carrier attachable to the loadsupport member, wherein when the carrier supports a load thereupon. Sucha carrier may be a hollow well, a bin, a pair of rails, a rescuestretcher or Stokes carrier or other support surface or containeroptionally the carrier may be rotatable from a horizontal position oftravel to an upright position as a shelved cabinet.

The parts are easily assembled and disassembled without the necessity oftools. For example, the parts can be held together by clamps orreceiving receptacles including a spring pin aperture for receiving apush pin for secure interconnecting of a component of the convertiblecart/utility table, such as the handle tube within the receiving memberof the load support member. The components can also be held in place bypins or other fasteners positioned within diametrically opposedtransverse holes for allowing a through pin to extend therethrough. PINS

While in simple embodiments the convertible cart/utility table includesa single pair of wheels attached by struts extending down from the loadsupport members, in other embodiments the convertible cart/utility tableincludes two pairs of axle load supports and four vehicle movementactuators, such as wheels.

To convert from a movable support, such as a convertible cart to astationary utility table, the downwardly extending axle-supportingstruts are detached by their clamping means from the load supportmembers, and replaced by stationary kickstands, which contact the groundto maintain the utility table in a stationary position.

One kickstand may be used with the wheeled struts still in place,although for maximum stability all wheeled struts are replaced bykickstands.

The kickstand may be a single rod extending from the load support memberto the ground, or it may be an H-shaped or U-shaped pair of downwardlyextending rods connected by a widenable transverse member, to vary thewidth of the convertible cart/utility table.

The convertible cart/utility table may also include at least one cargobin removably connected to the load support member.

Each of the cargo bins preferably includes a top shell container of aplurality of shells, each having a top outer surface and an opposing topinner surface; a bottom shell having a bottom outer surface and anopposing bottom inner surface. The top outer surface includes a bossarrangement and the bottom outer surface includes a recess arrangementcorresponding with the boss arrangement, for aligning a plurality of thecargo bins to be vertically stacked one on top of each other in acaravan of bin-hauling carts. There may also be one or more intermediateshell containers.

The bin of the convertible cart/utility table has one or more latchesfor removably connecting the top shell to the bottom or intermediateshell, wherein the latch is optionally lockable. Preferably, each bin ismade of a sturdy, lightweight material, such as fiberglass.

A top shell can be removed from the stack of bins and stood upright as amedical or other supply cabinet, which includes slidable drawers,anchored to and within the top shell of the cargo bin. Preferably, thetop inside surface and the bottom inside surface of the shells of thebin each includes a foam lining for limiting the movement of contentswithin the cargo bins. Additionally, the shells further include one ormore optional removable interior containers.

The mission-adaptable components may therefore deploy a portable cargobin having a cabinet system and at least one locking latch, and besecured to the collapsible cart/utility table, in a method including:

i) in the case of the collapsible cart/utility table having vehiclemovement actuators, such as wheels, securing the wheels in place toprevent movement,

ii) applying force to tilt the collapsible cart/utility table about afirst axis until a first rest position is reached, wherein the force isoptionally applied to a pair of handles in connection with thecollapsible cart/utility table, and the first axis of tilt being thevertex formed of the intersection between the bottom outer surface and abottom front surface;

iii) unlatching the straps holding the shells of the bin;

iv) applying force to tilt the collapsible cart/utility table about asecond axis until a second rest position is reached, wherein the secondaxis of tilt is the vertex formed of the intersection between the topouter surface and the top front surface;

v) disengaging the latch or latches; and

vi) separating the top shell from the bottom shell and the portablecart/utility table, allowing it to return to the first rest position oroptionally to return fully to the initial standing position.

The convertible cart/utility table may also include a modular loadsupport member which includes at least one axle-carrying strut extendingdownward therefrom, a receiving member for receiving an adjustablyremovable handle tube and optionally a clamping means.

The clamping means may be an extrusion slider clamp rigidly attached tothe modular load support member, having a top clamp surface, an insideedge and an outside edge. The top clamp surface further includes agroove formation aligned with the inside edge and the outside edge forhorizontally receiving a carrier therein.

In this case, the axle carrying struts have a lower end with an axlemounting means at the lower end, at least one axle extending througheach axle-carrying strut. Each axle has at least one vehicle movementactuator of a pair of vehicle movement actuators attached at oppositesides of the cart and a carrier attachable to the clamp, wherein whenthe carrier supports a load thereupon.

The axle carrying struts may each includes a lower end with an axlemounting means at the lower end, at least one axle extending througheach vertical strut and a plurality of transverse holes for resistingimpact. A carrier is attachable to the load support member, wherein whenthe carrier supports a load thereupon. Additionally, each axle carryingstrut may have a pair of support trusses for increased load support, thetrusses being rigidly connecting the axle carrying support and theextrusion clamp.

As a result, the convertible cart/utility table is mission adaptable fora variety of missions, and is not mission specific, such as for oneparticular task. The components break down into interchangeable parts,and are easily transported or stored for adaptability to a myriad oftasks in both friendly and hostile environments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can best be described in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the basiccart embodiment broken down for transport within and on the storagebackpack;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the backpack on a user, with the cartcontained therein;

FIG. 3 is an exploded inverted perspective view of the basic cartembodiment components, disassembled from their original transportconfiguration;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an alternate simplified embodimentwhere the vertical strut is permanently attached to a horizontal memberin a “T” configuration;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of an embodiment where the horizontalsupport is permanently affixed to the vertical strut by welding or othermeans;

FIG. 3C is an alternate embodiment where the vertical strut fits withina hole in the horizontal support and is fastened by a fastener.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled boat cart;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled cart with a boat fastenedfor transport;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view, inverted, of the componentsrequired to assemble the boat cart;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective of a typical wheel, showing two pressfit bearings adjacent an integrally molded hub;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an axle-locking member, installed on theassembled axle;

FIG. 9 is a sectional elevation view, taken through lines 9—9 of FIG. 8,showing the locking member compressing and locking the axle joint;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the boat cart in itsresting position, with a boat hull contacting the raised edge;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the boat cart with theboat hull positioned and fully installed, illustrating the precisionbalancing feature of the cart;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the assembled alternate embodimentcart, for hunting/gaming applications;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the inverted gaming cart,illustrating the framework fastening method;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view, inverted, of the gaming cart,illustrating the attachment of the stretcher canvas material to theframework components;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the attachment of thehandlebar component to the locking receptacles on the framework;

FIG. 16 is a sectional elevation view, taken through lines 16—16 of FIG.15, showing the locking receptacles acting on the installed leg of thehandlebar;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the gaming cart, with a deer fastenedfor transport;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a further embodiment, a cart fortransporting cargo, equipped with optional wide tires and axle for useon sand or granular terrain;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a fully loaded cargo cart, with thecover material partially cutaway to reveal its contents;

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view, inverted, of the cargo cart,illustrating the attachment of the canvas material to the frameworkcomponents;

FIG. 21 is another exploded perspective detail view of the componentsfor a stretcher-hauling clamp of an alternate embodiment for a searchand rescue cart;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the clamp embodiment shown in FIG. 21,showing the sliding action of the clamp therein, for quick removal ofthe stretcher therefrom;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the portable cart of the presentinvention, showing the clamp as in FIGS. 21 and 22 carrying a rescuestretcher;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the portable cart carrying aStokes-type personal rescue carrier;

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of components of a further alternateembodiment for a support for removal of a boat support cushiontherefrom;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment for a huntingcart with an accessory racking system for transport of hunting gear,such as a tree stand chair, archery implements and firearms thereon;

FIG. 27 is an exploded detail view of a quick release clamp for railfastening to the cart shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an assembled elevational view of the clamp of FIG. 27attached to a rail;

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of a typical clamp for gearsupport for the cart as in FIG. 26;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an anti-tipping attachment forconnecting a bicycle to the portable cart of the present invention;

FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the components of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of theportable cart of this invention with four wheels, shown with a coveredcargo-hauling bin;

FIG. 32A is a top plan view of the cover for a bin used with the cart asin FIG. 32;

FIG. 32B is a top plan view of the bin used with the cart as in FIG. 32;

FIG. 32C is an exploded view of the cover and bin as in FIG. 32;

FIG. 32D is a side elevational view of the cover and bin as in FIG. 32;

FIG. 32E is a front elevational view of the cover and bin as in FIG. 32;

FIG. 32F is a front cross-sectional view thereof, taken along lines“32F—32F” of FIG. 32D;

FIG. 32G is an exploded perspective view thereof;

FIG. 32H is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of aload support has a plurality of spaced apart, downwardly extending axlecarrying struts and a receiving member for a handle tube, has an upperpushpin aperture and a pair of opposite holes for a through pin toextend therethrough, showing two axles accommodating a pair of dualwheels in coaxial orientation;

FIG. 32I is a close-up perspective view of the receiving member andhandle spring pin engaged in the receiving member as in FIG. 32H;

FIG. 32J is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of afour-wheel cargo bin hauling cart showing stacked cargo hauling binsheld in place in a boss and recess engagement; further showing akickstand engaged to the handle;

FIGS. 32K, 32L and 32M are side elevational views of the sequence of thedisassembly of one of the cargo hauling bins to a deployed standingposition with operable sliding draws;

FIG. 32N is a front elevational view of the standing bin as in FIG. 32M;

FIG. 32O is a local perspective view of an optional trailer hitchassembly;

FIG. 32P is a side elevational view of an all-terrain vehicle pullingthe four-wheel cargo bin-hauling cart with the trailer hitch as in FIG.32O.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of one embodiment for an assembled frameof a portable cart with four wheels;

FIG. 33A is a bottom perspective view of the chassis and wheel portionsthereof;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a channeledhorizontal load support member with an integral T-slot;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the channeled horizontal load supportmember as in FIG. 34, shown with an extruded support cushion installedin a T-slot;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the embodiment for an assembled cartwith four wheels further incorporating horizontal support members with aT-slot;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a horizontal support member with aclamp member having two short T-slot engaging members and a full-lengthtop section;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a horizontal support member with aclamp member having a full-length T-slot engaging bottom member and twoshort clamping top members;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a horizontal support member with twoshort identical clamping members installed in the T-slots at the extremeends;

FIG. 40 is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment for arescue carrier cart with shortened horizontal supports and with apivotable kickstand;

FIG. 41 is a front elevational view of the kickstand portion of therescue carrier cart as in FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a side elevational view of the rescue carrier cart as in FIG.40, shown with the kickstand pivoted in a transportable position ofrest;

FIG. 43 is a side elevational view of a low profile military rescuecarrier cart, shown with a handle;

FIG. 44 is a front elevational view of the handle as in FIG. 43;

FIG. 43A is a perspective view of a low profile rescue carrier cartshown with an alternate embodiment for a stretcher bearing assemblyhaving a reversible handle/cart support;

FIG. 43B is an exploded perspective view of the stretcher-bearing tubecomponents of the stretcher-bearing assembly of FIG. 43A, showinginterlocking spring-loaded pin and receptacle fasteners;

FIG. 43C is a detail view of the spring-loaded pin as in FIG. 43B;

FIG. 43D is a side elevational view of the assembled components of a lowprofile rescue carrier cart as in FIGS. 43A, 43B and 43C;

FIG. 43E shows the low profile rescue carrier cart, in a sideelevational view;

FIG. 45 is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment for a fourwheeled rescue carrier cart, shown with stretcher rails and withstabilizing tie rods, for use as a temporary stationary medical gurney;

FIG. 46 is a top plan view thereof; shown without the stretcher rails;

FIGS. 47, 47A, 47B, 48 and 49 show respective isometric, left side, top,front and right side views of the clamp used in the embodiments shown inFIGS. 40–46;

FIG. 50 is an isometric view of a half piece thereof, shown with springpins;

FIG. 51 is an isometric perspective view of a further embodiment for adisassembled, single axle cart, stored in a carry bag;

FIG. 51A is a further perspective view thereof;

FIG. 52 is an exploded perspective view of the cart as in FIG. 51, shownduring assembly, wherein arrows indicate directional movement ofrotation about the axis of the rails shown therein;

FIG. 52A is a perspective view thereof showing one wheel in place uponan axle;

FIG. 53 is a close-up cutaway view of the spring stop member regulatingoutward movement of the optional rails of the cart of the presentinvention from a storage position to a position of use;

FIG. 54 is an overall perspective view in partial cutaway of the cartshowing the wagon portion in its cargo-carrying configuration;

FIG. 55 is an overall perspective view of the cart of FIG. 54, shown inits rescue stretcher configuration;

FIG. 56 shows a detail view of an optional ski attachment instead ofwheels, for use in snow and winter environments;

FIG. 57 shows a detail view of an optional platform base for supportingobjects thereon;

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of portable cart frame configured as amulti-victim stretcher;

FIG. 59 is a perspective view of multi-victim stretcher using singlefabric top surface cover;

FIG. 60 is a perspective view of multi-victim cart frame reconfigured toaccept separate stretchers;

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of multi-victim stretcher using separatestretchers;

FIG. 62 is an end view of wheel subassembly attachment mechanism inengaged position;

FIG. 63 is an end view of wheel subassembly attachment mechanism indisengaged position;

FIG. 64 is an end view of attachment clamp for tubular overhead bar;

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of portable cart frame configured as anoperating room table/gurney;

FIG. 66 is a perspective view of operating room table/gurney;

FIG. 67 is an end view of wheel brake mechanism in applied position;

FIG. 68 is an end view of wheel brake in an off position;

FIG. 69 is an end view of side rail adjustable clamp; and,

FIG. 70 is a perspective view of adjustable clamp assembly.

FIG. 71 is a diagrammatic flow chart of use of the convertiblecart/utility table of the present invention in a medical emergencyresponse triage environment;

FIG. 72 is an exploded perspective view of the basic components of theconvertible cart/utility table of the present invention, showingremovable kickstand and wheel support components;

FIG. 73 is an exploded view of the tubular frame component of theconvertible cart/utility table of the present invention, with analternate embodiment for a kickstand holding sleeve;

FIG. 74 is an exploded perspective view of an assembled convertiblecart/utility table in the utility table mode, showing an auxiliary powerpack attached thereto and a medical stretcher above;

FIG. 75 is a side elevational view of the convertible cart/utility tablein the utility table mode as in FIG. 74, shown in a tilting feature withone portion of the utility table being raised higher than a higheropposite lower end proportion, and showing an optional body fluidcaptive collector;

FIG. 76 is a detailed view of the height adjustable foot portion of theconvertible cart/utility table as in FIGS. 74 and 75, as shown in theellipse “76” in FIG. 74;

FIG. 77 is a detailed perspective view of a reversible clamp of theconvertible cart/utility table as in FIG. 43A; shown in the detailcallout “78” of FIG. 43A;

FIG. 78 is a close-up rear elevational detail view of the clamp as inFIG. 77, shown in a reversed position, as shown in the detail callout“78” in FIG. 43A;

FIG. 79 is a front elevational view of an optional heavy-duty clamp forthe convertible cart/utility table as in FIG. 72, as shown in detailcallout “79” in FIG. 72;

FIG. 80 is a detailed front elevational view showing a hook of theheavy-duty clamp as in FIG. 79 showing the retraction of a stretcherrail support, allowing the stretcher rail to drop thereby selectivelytilting the head or foot of the stretcher;

FIG. 81 is a perspective view of the stretcher clamp for the tiltedstretcher effected by the clamp retractor as in FIG. 80, which stretcherclamp allows for the tilting rotation of the stretcher rod;

FIG. 82 is a perspective view taken at detail callout “82” in FIG. 81,showing the rotation thereof effectuating tilting of the latch;

FIG. 83 is an exploded perspective view of a claim for an auxiliary limbappendage support used in connection with the convertible cart/utilitytable as in FIG. 72 or FIG. 74;

FIG. 84 is an exploded perspective view of the clamp as in FIG. 83showing intravenous support stanchion and a medical instrument tray.

FIG. 85 is an exploded perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 83 sharinga means for mounting a medical clamp and,

FIG. 86 is a perspective view illustrating an instrument tray set-upused in connection with the clamp as in FIG. 83.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the drawing FIGS. 1–70, the present invention is directed toa mission-adaptable set of components forming a convertible cart/utilitytable. For example, the present invention may include foldable cart 1,having a load support for carrying a load, such as a boat, such as acanoe, which can also function as a game cart or a wagon for carryinggear in outdoor field applications.

FIG. 1 shows cart 1 in a disassembled storage position with a pair ofhorizontal load support members 10 laid parallel adjacent to each other,supporting wheels 30 thereon. Wheels 30 are secured in place by atransverse connecting rod 31 through wheel hubs 30 a and by one or moreload securing straps 50. Disassembled storage cart 1 is inserted withincarry bag 120, which includes ledge 121 and fabric loops 122 for holdingbracket members 60, 70 and handle 80 outside of carry bag 120.

To transport portable cart 1 by hand carry straps 124 are attached tocarry bag 120. Conversely as shown in FIG. 2, to transport portable cart1 upon the back of a user, carry straps 124 are attached to carry bag120, which supports portable cart 1 in a weight bearing manner, or elsehorizontal support members 10 are inverted to support portable cart 1 ina weight bearing manner, and carry bag 120 covers portable cart 1 in anon-weight bearing manner.

To be disassembled in a carry position, U-shaped bracket rails 60,70,wheels 30 and axle members 32 are inversely attached to horizontal loadsupports 10 to comprise a folded manually transportable cart.

As shown in the exploded view of FIG. 3, in the storage position, in apreferred embodiment, cart 1 includes a pair of parallel, spaced apartinverted horizontal load support members 10. Support members 10 eachhave a front-end 10 a and a rear end 10 b. The front and rear ends 10 a,10 b each have at least one axially placed receptacle aperture 12extending longitudinally within each load support member 10, for holdingstructural components therethrough in a storage position, such as axlemembers 32 for wheels 30. In this storage position, axle members 32 arealso inserted within aperture of 33 of axle connector 34.

FIG. 3 also shows horizontal load support members 10 having preferably agenerally upside down U-shaped configuration when viewed incross-section, wherein a generally flat member 10 c has downwardlyextending flanges 10 d, 10 e including one or more linearly extendingslots 10 f for insertion of holding straps 50 therein.

Although apertures 12 are shown in the drawings, it is contemplated thatother configurations may be applicable to horizontal load supportmembers 10, so long as other members, such as rails 60, 70 and so forth,may be attached thereto by fasteners, preferably in an axis parallel tothe axis of horizontal support members 10.

While size may vary, support member 10 is preferably sixteen (16) incheslong and two and a quarter (2.25) inches wide. Each flange 10 d, 10 eextends down about one (1) inch from flat member 10 c. Slots 10 f arepreferably 2.125 inches wide and 0.1875 inches high, to accommodatestraps 50, such as, for example, standard 2-inch wide fabric straps.

FIG. 3 also shows vertical struts 20 optionally having at least onesmall hole 22, such as kickstand receptacle aperture 22, for insertionof optional kickstand 40 therein.

FIG. 3 also shows horizontal load support members 10 being respectivelydemountably attached to a pair of vertical struts 20, having apertures21 and 22. In one embodiment, horizontal load support members 10 can bedemountably attached to vertical struts 20, but in an alternateembodiment they can be permanently affixed to each other, such as in thealternate embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Moreover, while preferably horizontal struts are U-shaped, as in FIG. 3,in alternate embodiments other configurations can be used, as long asvertical strut 20 can be attached to horizontal support member 10.

For example, in FIG. 3A vertical strut 20′ is in a unified T-shapedmember with horizontal support member 10′. In FIG. 3B, vertical struts20, and horizontal support members 10′ are attached by weldment 20″. InFIG. 3C, vertical strut 20′ is inserted in hole 10″ of horizontalsupport member 10′, and attached by fastener 10′″, such as a screw orother fastener. In these alternate embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B or3C, horizontal load support members 10′ may be solid in cross sectionalconfiguration. One such configuration shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C isthat of a parallelepiped, namely a solid form, all of whose sides areparallelograms, such as rectangles, and whose opposite sides areparallel to one another.

In another embodiment vertical strut 20 may be adjustable in length witha sleeve containing a telescopic shaft (not shown) and with a springurging the shaft in and out of the sleeve, with a lock provided.Kickstand 40 is shown deployed in FIG. 4. Kickstand 40 is secured inplace by a fastener, such as nylon set screw 37. Setscrews 37 also holdaxle members 32 in the storage position through vertical struts 20.

Vertical struts 20 are preferably made from 1½×2-inch solid bar stockanodized aluminum, or stainless steel. Vertical struts 20 are preferablyabout 10.25 inches long, 2 inches wide and 1½ inches in depth.

Also shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of optional larger holes 21, such asholes, which are 0.765 or 1.625 inches in diameter, are located on afront side of vertical strut 20. Smaller hole 22 on the bottomaccommodates kickstand 40, which is preferably a hollow aluminum tube of0.75-inch diameter and 16 inches in length.

Optional larger holes 21 within vertical strut 20 are provided forweight reduction of portable cart 1.

On a side 23 transverse to the front 24 of each vertical strut 20, at alower portion 20 a thereof, is provided a further hole 25 of about1-inch in diameter for insertion of each axle member 32 therethrough.Hole 25 has a permanently affixed, bushing 26 therein, such as a PVC(polyvinyl chloride) bushing, to prevent wear and tear of each aluminumaxle member 32 by the aluminum surface of hole 25.

As also shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, each wheel 30 is demountably attachedat an end, respectively, to a pair of axle members 32, with axle members32 extending inwardly from and demountably attached to lower portion 20a of the respective vertical struts 20, wherein axle members 32 are in atransverse relationship to horizontal load support members 10.Fasteners, 36, such as cotter pins, hold each wheel 30 upon each axle32.

Each axle member 32 is received within each hole 25, of each lowerportion 20 a of each vertical strut 20. A compression groove 27 existsfrom the underside of vertical strut 20 to hole 25 and continues tofurther through hole 27 a, providing for compression of lower portion 20a of vertical strut 20.

To accommodate narrow or wider cargo, such as watercraft of varyingwidths, the distance between vertical struts 20 can be varied along theaxle length by loosening and tightening the tightening member 28 andmoving vertical struts 20 laterally apart or towards each other alongaxle members 32.

Although optionally a one-piece axle may be used (not shown), preferablythe pair of axle members 32 are held in opposite axial orientation bystraight rigid axle connector 34. Axle connector 34 has tighteningmember 35, and a pair of receptacles 33 at the respective two ends ofaxle connector 34, so that axle members 32 respectively extend outwardlyfrom, and are demountably attached within, the axle connector receptaclebore 33.

While the axle may be optionally a one-piece axle, such as shown asreference numeral 606 in FIG. 33 herein, preferably the pair ofconnected oppositely extending axle members 32 form together an axle forwheels 30.

Each axle member 32 is made of solid round stock of anodized aluminum orstainless steel, approximately 0.75 inches in diameter. At thewheel-supporting end 32 a, the diameter is about 0.59 inches in diameterwith shoulders 32 b of about 0.08 inches in height, transverse to theaxis of axle member 32. These shoulders 32 b provide a resting surfaceto prevent axial movement of wheel 30 upon axle member 32.

As shown in FIG. 7, each wheel 30 rotates about press fit bearings 32 b,while each wheel 30 is positioned upon each respective axle member 32 ofFIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 6, at the opposite end of one axle member 32,there is provided a hollow, threaded recess 32 c of about 0.75 inchesdeep, to accommodate a connecting threaded member 32 d of other axlemember 32, to axially connect both axle members 32 together within axleconnector 34, with a wheel 30 at each end.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show how axle connector 34 is compensated along groove 38,thereby locking axle members 32 within bushing 39, which is withinreceptacle bore 33 of axle connector 34, by tightening of tighteningbolt 35 a of tightening member 35. Preferably bushing 39 is a PVC(polyvinyl chloride) bushing. Groove 38 is preferably 1/16 to ⅛ inch, inwidth, which allows for the compression of axle connector 34 around axlemembers 32. Tightening bolt 35 a is inserted within a conventionalreceptacle which is a through hole at the proximal end and which istapped with threaded grooves at the distal end, to allow for compressionof axle connector 34.

FIGS. 4 and 6 also show at least one kickstand 40, preferably a pair,respectively extending horizontally rearward from each lower portion ofvertical struts 20. Each kickstand member 40 extends rearwardly from theat least one kickstand receptacle aperture 22 of respective verticalstruts 20 and each kickstand 40 is demountably attached within eachrespective kickstand receptacle aperture 22. Each kickstand member 40 ispreferably contoured so as to contact the ground to stabilize portablecart 1 is a parked position of rest.

As shown in FIG. 5, to hold a canoe, game or cargo in place upon cart 1,one or more adjustable load-securing straps 50 are slidably attached toboth respective horizontal load supports 10 in a transverse relationshipto load supports 10. Straps 50 are preferably reinforced flexible canvasstraps of about 2 inches in width.

To complete portable cart 1 as a canoe or boat cart, FIG. 4 showssupport cushions 13 mounted upon respective horizontal load supports 10.Support cushions 13 are flexible, such as of rubber or foam, to supportthe weight of boat 2 thereon.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the precision balancing of boat 2 upon cart 1,wherein the placement of boat 2 upon cart 1 causes cart 1 to rotate froma position of rest in FIG. 10 to a horizontal load position of FIG. 11,in the direction of the arrow.

FIGS. 12–17 show another embodiment that converts portable cart 1 into agame cart. Alternatively, FIGS. 18–20 show how to convert cart 1 into acargo wagon with a hollow well. First, in either situation, carry frame55 is secured to horizontal load supports 10. Although a one piece,generally rectangular frame (not shown) may be used, preferably frame 55includes a pair of U-shaped brackets 60, 70 joinable together to formframe 55.

Various fasteners may be provided to horizontal load supports 10 tocarry objects, such as carriers, thereon.

Alternatively, for example, a clamp maybe provided to horizontal loadsupports 10 to carry a frame of a discrete transportable carrierdirectly thereon, as disclosed hereinafter with respect to FIGS. 21–24.In that case, instead of the frame being integrally part of the portablechart, as in FIGS. 12–17, in FIGS. 21–24, the frame is clamped to thehorizontal load supports 10 of portable cart 1. Other fasteners mayinclude longitudinally extending channel slots, such as in FIGS. 33–39described further below.

Meanwhile, further with respect to FIGS. 12–17, U-shaped front bracket60 extends horizontally forward from front-end receptacle apertures 12of horizontal load supports 10, wherein front bracket 60 is demountablyattached within front-end receptacle apertures 12 at one end ofhorizontal load supports 10.

U-shaped rear bracket 70 extends horizontally rearward from oppositelypositioned rear end receptacle apertures 12 of horizontal load supports10 and rear bracket 70 is demountably attached within each oppositelypositioned rear end receptacle aperture 12 of horizontal load supports10.

FIG. 13 shows how frame 55 is secured to cart 1. Each distal end ofU-shaped front bracket 60 is inserted through apertures in respectiveends 10 b of horizontal supports 10 until each distal end engages acorresponding hole in each vertical support 20, where they are held inplace by pins 29. Pins 29 engage lateral holes 18 in horizontal supports10 and corresponding through holes 19 in distal ends of U shapedbrackets 60. Likewise, each distal end of U-shaped rear bracket 70 isinserted through apertures in respective ends 10 a of horizontalsupports 10 until each distal end engages a corresponding hole in eachvertical support 20, where it is also held in place by a pin 29. Pins 29engage lateral holes 18 in horizontal supports 10 and correspondingthrough holes 19 in distal ends of U shaped brackets 60, 70 of frame 55.

U-shaped brackets 60, 70 are preferably of hollow, anodized aluminumtubing of about 0.75 inches in diameter. The length of each distallyextending side member thereof is about 23.50 inches and the width of thecross bar connecting the distal side members is about 21.63 inches.About 0.75 inches from each distal end is a scoring, to accommodate aclamp thereon, to form frame 55.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 15 for pulling or pushing game or cargo uponportable cart 1, handle 80 extends rearwardly at an upward angle fromjoints 71 of either U-shaped rear bracket 70 for pushing portable cart1, or from front U-shaped bracket 60 for pulling portable cart 1 (notshown). Furthermore, handle 80 may be permanently attached to eitherU-shaped bracket 60 or 70, or handle 80 may be removable and demountablyattached to either front U-shaped bracket 60 or rear U-shaped bracket70.

Handle 80 has preferably two aluminum tubing connecting members about22.5 inches in length, connected by a hand accommodating transverse barof solid aluminum, and is 17.5 inches in width. Handle 80 includesconnectors 81, having distal sleeves, such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride)sleeves 82, permanently affixed thereto, which are insertable withinjoints 71 by locking member 72, having threaded member 72 a which passesthrough bore 71 a of joint 71 and bore 81 a of handle 80. Compressiongroove 73 exists in joint 71, providing compression of joint 71.

Handle 80 may optionally have an auxiliary extension member and clamp(not shown), so that it can be attached to the rear frame of a bicycle(not shown), to pull portable cart 1.

To carry game 3, as shown in FIG. 17, or to carry an injured person in arescue operation, FIG. 12 shows portable cart 1 having fabric stretcher100 stretched tautly between horizontal load members 10 and preferablymounted over and around front and rear U-shaped brackets 60 and 70 offrame 55, by threading brackets 60, 70 through fasteners such as sewn-inloops 102 of fabric stretcher 100, which may alternatively be made ofplastic or other taut load bearing material. Other types of fastenerscan be used. For example, FIG. 14 shows that loop 102 a is openable, andclosed by fastener, such as zipper fastener 102 b.

As also shown in FIG. 12, handle 80 may include a pair of postsextending obliquely off of a horizontal axis of portable cart 1, whereina head rest cushion 85 extends between the posts to support the head andneck of an injured person being transported upon stretcher 100.

FIGS. 18–20 show that to carry cargo, hollow fabric cargo well 110 isattached in the same manner to frame 55. Hollow cargo well 110 may alsoalternatively be made of plastic or other taut load bearing material,and covered by cover 112. FIGS. 18 and 19 also show wider wheels 130 foruse on sand or granular terrain.

Assembly and Disassembly

The various embodiments of the mission adaptable multiple-purposeportable cart/utility table can be quickly and easily assembled anddisassembled.

For example, for making a canoe cart from the disassembled portable cart1, wheel-retaining members, such as cotter pins 36, are taken out ofaxle members 32 in their stored position, and wheels 30 come out. Axlemembers 32 are then removed from between vertical struts 20. The axlemembers 32 are then clamped in a horizontal use position intoreceptacles 33 of rigid axle connector 34. Axle members are insertedbetween vertical struts 20 and locked in place. Wheels 30 are placedupon axle members 32 and secured by cotter pins 36. Kickstand 40 isloosened from its rest position and placed in place in receptacleswithin vertical struts 20. Canoe supporting cushions 13 are installedupon horizontal load supports 10 to support a canoe or boat thereupon.Straps 50 hold the canoe or boat installed upon cushions 13 in a securetransportable position.

To convert portable cart 1 into a game cart as in FIG. 17 or a rescuecart as in FIG. 12, kickstands 40 are removed and fabric stretcher 100is installed on U-shaped frame members 60, 70 of frame 55 frames byfasteners such as sewn loops 102 thereof. U-shaped frame members 60, 70are placed on horizontal load supports 10, and kickstand members 40 areinstalled as braces for fabric stretcher 100. Straps 50 are theninstalled to securely hold game or an injured party upon stretcher 100.Then handle 80 is installed upon U-shaped bracket 60 or 70 of frame 55to pull or push portable cart 1.

To convert portable cart 1 into a wagon to haul cargo, as in FIGS. 18and 19, fabric stretcher 100 is removed and hollow well 110 is installedover U-shaped members 60, 70 of frame 55.

To make the portable chart 1 portable again, the components aredisassembled in reverse into bag 120. Strap or straps 50 are used as acarry handle or for backpack shoulder loops.

While the rescue stretcher shown in FIG. 12 has its own customizedstretcher 100, in another embodiment shown in FIGS. 21–24, to convertportable cart 1 to a retrofit disabled person-bearing transportablecarrier cart for search and rescue operations, using conventional railedstretcher 230, support cushions 13 are removable from horizontal loadsupports 10 and replaced by clamping assembly 200. Clamping assembly 200includes lower jaw 202, and upper jaw 204. While different jawconfigurations can be used, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 21–24 showseach having longitudinally extending recesses 206 and 208 therein togrip perimeter frame rails of a load supporting transportable carrier,such as conventional railed stretcher 230 therebetween, as shown in FIG.23.

Lower jaw 202 of clamping assembly 200 includes an engaging surface 210with threaded studs 212 which are inserted into through-holes 214 ofload supports 10, and permanently locked with nuts 216. Upper jaw 204 isprovided with a pair of oblong through-slots, 218, to allow upper jaw204 to slide on upper surface of lower jaw 202, when threaded T-handles220 are loosened. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 22 this sliding actionallows for quick removal of any stretcher frame rail secured between jawassembly 200.

FIGS. 23 and 24 are perspective views of a typical stretcher 230, and aStokes-type rescue basket 240, securely clamped to portable cart 1utilizing the previously described clamping assembly 200.

As shown in FIG. 25 in this embodiment, instead of being permanentlyattached to each horizontal load support 10, removable support cushion13 is permanently attached to removable plate 302 with an adhesive 304.This cushion assembly is removably attachable by nuts 316 and threadedstuds 312, to each horizontal load support 10.

FIG. 26 illustrates portable cart 1, outfitted with a plurality ofracking assemblies 400, each comprising a rail clamp 410, an upstandingpost 424, and a hanger clamp 430. Rack assembly 400, when used inconjunction with additional rack assemblies 400, allows fortransportation and quick removal of essential hunting gear such as achair stand 440, archery equipment 441, and rifle 442. Other relateditems such as knapsacks and bedrolls may be supported by rack assembly400, as well. Rack assembly 400 is easily disassembled from cart 1 uponreaching a chosen destination, and the components are convenientlytransported within cart 1's storage backpack, such as carry bag 120shown in FIG. 1.

Also illustrated in FIG. 26 are stabilizing assemblies 450 and 460.Assembly 450 makes use of post 420, which is friction-fit into aninverted rail clamp 410. Assembly 460 comprises an inverted tubularsleeve 462, optionally permanently welded to the handle assemblycrosspiece. Sleeve 462 accepts kickstand post 424 in a similar fashionto rail clamp 410. These assemblies 450 460 serve to brace the cart 1when it is parked.

Moreover, kickstand post 424 may be used with any embodiment having ahandle, such as handle 80 of FIGS. 12 and 17–19, or handle 81 of FIGS.32 and 33.

Turning to FIG. 27, which is highlighted in FIG. 26, an explodedperspective close-up detail view of rail clamp 410 is presented.Clamping block 411 is provided with a bore 412 to receive post 424, anattachment face 413 including a semi bore 414, and notch 415, andthreaded bore 416. Plate 417 includes semi bore 418, through hole 419,and protruding rib 420.

As shown in FIG. 28, when threaded knob 422 is inserted into hole 419 ofplate 417 and tightened into threaded bore 416 of block 411, clamping isachieved against frame member 60. Rib 420 is secured within notch 415 bya camming action in the direction of arrow “A”.

FIG. 29 shows cantilevered hanger clamp 430, poised to slide downupstanding post 424. Hanger clamp 430 is provided with a bore 431, whichis notched in a similar manner to clamping receptacles 71 of the handleassembly. The notch separates the body of hanger clamp 430 into twowalls. Threaded knob 422 will compress the walls surrounding the notch,thereby tightening bore 431 around post 424. L-shaped region 432 isintegrally formed with the body of the hanger clamp, and provides astrong and durable support for transporting hunting or other gear.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an anti-tipping linkage 500, whichcouples cart 1 to a bicycle. Linkage 500 counteracts cart rollovercaused by centrifugal force as the bicycle negotiates turns.

FIG. 31 illustrates the components of linkage 500. Bicycle seat-stemcompression clamp 510 is formed of a body portion 511, and plate 512,fastened by screws 513. Bore 514 is angled so that clamp 510 remainsperpendicular when installed on a typical bicycle seat-stem. Clamp 510is provided with a bore 515 on rear face 516, which accepts a shaft 520.Pin 517 passes through clamp and fixes shaft 520 via a through-bore.Shaft 520 includes through-bore 522 at its distal end. Anotherthrough-bore 523 is provided slightly proximal of aperture 522. Whenshaft 520 is inserted into coil spring 530, hooked leg 531 of the springwill fit into bore 522. A sliding collar 524 will then extend over leg531 to prevent pull-out, and a pin 526 will be fitted into collar hole525, and into bore 523 of the shaft 520, thereby securing the collar tothe shaft and preventing removal of the coil spring.

A shaft 540 is provided for the opposite end of coil spring 530. Hookedleg 532 fits into bore 542 of the shaft, and collar 544 slides over andis fixed by pin 546, fitted into collar hole 535 and shaft bore 543.

Support rails 550 and 551 are fixed to handle clamps 71 of cart 1. Therails are bent into an inverted V configuration, and permanently affixedto block 552. Block 552 is provided with bore 553, into which the freeend of shaft 540 is fitted. Pin 555 is inserted into through bore 554 ofblock 552, and passes through bore 547 of shaft 540, creating thecontinuous, secure anti-tipping linkage 500 between cart 1 and abicycle. It is understood that during maneuvers of the bicycle, therewill be no problems associated with a typical universal or pivot joint;the coil spring will absorb and disperse any rotational stresses, andwill react as a 360° “living hinge”.

FIGS. 32A–32G, 33 and 33A show an alternate embodiment 600 of theportable cart using four wheels 30 in an overlapped configuration. Ahard molded cover 601 is illustrated although any cover or no cover canbe used as well. Cover 601 covers bin 602 with lower overlapping edgecap 601 a fitting over peripheral shoulder 602 a of bin 602. Bin 602also has longitudinally extending concave channels 603, which rest uponrails 604 of cart 600 of FIG. 32. Downward pressure of the weight of bin602 and its contents helps stabilize bin 602 upon rails 604, which maybe optionally covered with rubber or other resilient linearly extendingcushions.

Although FIG. 32 illustrates portable cart 600 with covered bin 602,portable cart 600 can be used with other embodiments, such as, forexample, boat cushions 13 shown in FIG. 4, framed rail stretchers 100 asin FIG. 12, the game cart of FIG. 17, the cargo cart of FIG. 18, theconventional rescue carriers of FIGS. 23 and 24 or the gear rack of FIG.26, among others.

FIG. 32H shows an exploded inverted view of an alternate embodiment fora ruggedized handle assembly, including handle 630 and handle shaft 626with spring pin 628 lined up to enter the end of stanchion trussweldment 620. Stanchion truss weldment 620 has two downward extendingstruts 632, which accommodate axles 624 therethrough, which axles 624,in-turn, attach to wheels 622. Central bushing receptacle 634 acceptsthe end of handle shaft 626. Receptacle 634 also has a lower pushpinaperture and a pair of opposite holes for a through pin to hold handleshaft in place. FIG. 32H also shows kickstand 640 stowable within handleshaft 626.

FIG. 32I shows a close-up inverted view of receptacle 634, showinghandle shaft 626 located within truss weldment 620, and held in place byspring pin 628 of handle shaft 626 and/or through pin 629.

FIG. 32J shows a four wheel cargo hauling cart with kickstand 640attached to kickstand attachment bracket 638, which is part of handle630. Also shown are stacked cargo bin shell containers 634 held securelyby straps 636.

In the sequence of FIGS. 32K, 32M, and 32N, straps 636 have beendetached from bin shell containers 634, and the sequence of removal oftop bin 634 is shown ending with a vertically oriented bin drawercabinet 635 with a cover panel 639 removed, thereby exposing slidablyopenable drawers 642 on its front surface. FIG. 32N shows drawers 642behind drawer retaining panel 639 in a cutaway view.

Lower bin 634 optionally contains related medical supplies for a fieldhospital, such as power packs, oxygen tanks, and other necessary medicalsupplies.

FIG. 32O is an optional hitch assembly 644, which replaces the handleassembly. Hitch legs 646 are received into handle 630.

Spring pins 651 also participate in this coupling. Connector 646, withhitch tongue 652, form a structure engagable with receiver clevis 653attached to all terrain vehicle 656. FIG. 32P shows hitch 644 being usedto pull cart 632 by all-terrain vehicle 656.

FIG. 33 shows a perspective view of the frame of cart 600. Long axle 606attaches front wheels 30 while short axle 605 attaches rear wheels 30through respective vertical support pairs 20. The use of four wheelsdoubles the carrying capacity of the cart of this invention while theoverlapped positioning of the wheels maintains a short wheelbase forcompactness and for maneuverability such as turning with fixed axles andthe ability to easily climb ledges. For durability, the rails 604 may bea double pair of parallel rails.

Double axled cart 600 has increased maneuverability, since user pushingupon an optional handle 81 enables user to lift the farther away, distalpair of wheels 30 off the ground, and the user pulling upward of handle81 raises the nearer proximal wheels 30 off the ground.

FIGS. 34 through 39 are concerned with an alternate embodiment of thehorizontal load support member 10. The alternate embodiment 610 has anintegral T-slot channel 611 in its top surface to facilitate easyinstallation and removal of a variety of attachments, such as cushions615 shown in FIG. 35–36, clamps 620, 630, 640, shown in FIGS. 37–39, orplatform 1450 shown in FIG. 57. Load member 610 can be convenientlyextruded of aluminum or magnesium; it can be used either with thetwo-wheel cart 1 or the four-wheeled embodiment 600.

FIG. 35 shows a resilient cushion 615 installed in the T-slot 611 ofsupport member 610. This cushion 615 can be extruded of a variety ofrubber or thermoplastic elastomers and serves the same purpose ascushion member 13 described above. A perspective view of FIG. 36 showscushions 615 installed on a four-wheel cart 600.

As described above, clamp assembly 200 is used to convert portable cart1 to a disabled person-bearing transportable carrier cart. Threeseparate alternate embodiments of clamp assembly 200 are presented; allare compatible with the use of horizontal support member 610.

FIG. 37 shows a one-piece clamp 620 with full width top section 622 andshort end pieces 621, which mate with, and slip into the T-slot 611 ofhorizontal support member 610.

FIG. 38 shows clamp 630 with a full width bottom member 631 which mateswith and slides into T-slot 611 of horizontal support 610.

FIG. 39 shows another alternate embodiment consisting of two shortidentical clamp members 640, which are inserted into the T-slots 611 ofmember 610 at the two extreme ends.

In all cases, the short clamping sections can be sized to offerspring-like gripping action on the tubular members, or fasteners, suchas thumbscrews or ball plungers (not shown) can be used for retention.

FIGS. 40–50 show alternate embodiments for converting a conventionalhand carried, railed medical rescue stretcher to a lightweight wheeledversion.

For example, FIGS. 40–42 show shortened horizontal support members 710with tightening members 711. Rails 713 are held either by clamps, suchas shown in FIGS. 37–39, or alternatively through apertures inhorizontal support members 710, as shown in FIG. 14. Horizontal supportmembers 710 are demountably attached to vertical struts 720 havingextending therethrough transverse axles 732 supporting wheels 730.Optional pivotable kickstand 740 is attached to rails 713 by clamp 800.

As also shown in FIGS. 47–50, clamp 800 includes two jaws 801, 802having aperture recess 803 for insertion of rails 713 therethrough.Clamp 800 is closed and tightened by fastener 804 operated by rotatableknob 805. Internal spring pins 806, as shown in FIG. 47, cooperate withfastener 804 and knob 805 to tighten clamp 800 about rail 713. Internalgrooves 807, 808 accommodate kickstand 740 in the respective positionsof support and rest, as shown in FIG. 40 and FIG. 42 respectively.

FIG. 43 shows an alternate embodiment for a military or emergency rescuecarrier cart 900 with a profile set low to the ground, includingshortened horizontal members 910 with tightening fasteners 911. Rails913 are also held by clamps as in FIGS. 37–39, or alternately throughapertures in horizontal support members 910, as in FIG. 14. Horizontalsupport members 910 are demountably attached to shortened verticalstruts 920 to keep stretcher rails 913 close to the ground. Optionalbent handle 945 is connected by clamps 800 disclosed in FIGS. 47–50, asdiscussed above.

FIGS. 45–46 show how the stretcher version shown in FIGS. 40–42 can beconverted to a stationary medical gurney 1000. Rails 1013 are supportedby horizontal support members 1010, which hare demountably attached tovertical struts 1020, having axles 1032 supporting wheels 1030. Tostabilize gurney 1000, horizontally extending tie rods 1036, 1037 arejoined by threaded clamp 1038 or other fastening means.

The major structural components of an alternate embodiment low profilerescue carrier are shown in FIG. 43A. Latch clamps 1800 of stretcherbearing tube assemblies 950 support stretcher 1730 and also engagehandles 630 at each end. Handles 630 may be rotated into an upwardlocking position or downward. Tube assemblies 950 include lateral springpins 962 and upper spring pins 963 for proper placement of wheelassemblies comprising struts 920 having rail bearing clamps 910 operableby latch handles 911.

FIG. 43B shows an exploded view of handles 630 engagable with stretcherbearing tube assemblies 950 of FIG. 43A. Handles 630 are attached toshort handle shafts 956 with spring pins 958 (as in detail callout FIG.43C) within. Similarly, a coupling section detailed in FIG. 43C hasspring pins 958 installed as shown. Spring pins 958 include bent leafspring section 960 which tail end impinges on the inside of tube 956 ortube 952 while the other end is attached to spring pin button 962 whichprotrudes through a hole in the side of tube 956 or 952. Buttons 962couple with a tube mid sections 954 via holes near the ends of thesetubes. Buttons 963 function as wheel set locators and fit into wheel setclamps for proper fixturing, as shown in FIG. 43A.

The low profile rescue carrier is also shown in the side elevationalview of FIG. 43D, which illustrates the feature of the handles 630rotated to the downward position and functioning as kickstands.

As shown in FIG. 43E, the low profile rescue carrier is easily convertedinto a low profile transport rotating handles 630 from the kickstandsupport position to an upright handle position which is easily graspedby medical personnel. Short handle shafts 956 are shown in theoptionally extended position in FIG. 43E, to allow for clearance betweenthe medic and the stretcher. The medic may drag the stretcher 1730 uponstretcher bearing assembly 950 as shown, or alternatively, push or pullthe stretcher or other carrier bearing assembly 950 forward by reversinghis orientation.

FIGS. 51–53 show a further embodiment for portable cart 1101 which foldsdown to a disassembled storage position as in FIG. 51 and which unfoldsto an assembled position of use as in FIG. 52. Cart 1101 includes a pairof horizontal load support members 1110 laid parallel to each other,which rotate axially to move perpendicularly extending vertical struts1120 outward from a position within a storage bag 1101 a, where verticalstruts 1120 face each other's distal ends, to a position of use 90degrees perpendicular to the storage position, where vertical struts1120 extend in the same plane but outward from horizontal load supportmembers 1110.

In this embodiment shown in FIGS. 51–53, the resilient rails 1178 areengaged to horizontal supports 1110 such that when in a position ofstorage the rails 1178 are biased to return to their normal position ofuse, when released from the storage position, thus causing verticalstruts 1120 attached to horizontal supports 1110 to pivot upward andbow, thus increasing the strength of the cart.

The same is true with other embodiments of the present invention. Forexample, placing a boat 2 upon cart 1 causes horizontal support members10 and wheel axles 31 to bow, giving it the strength of an uncollapsibleRoman arch. The same is true with respect to stretcher or cargo haulingembodiments shown in FIGS. 12, 17–19, 40–45 and 58–66, for example,wherein putting weight makes the carrier portion taut and bows the framemembers into a position of strength. Also the multiple floatingoverlapping rails as in FIG. 14, for example, bow the rails andstrengthen the cart with a load supported thereon.

Moreover, vertical struts 1120 can be further strengthened in place tohorizontal supports 1110 by connecting braces, such as V-shaped braces1121.

Wheels 1130 are held by axle 1131, which in a storage position is placedwithin the storage bag 1101 a. To lengthen cart 1101, rails 1178 moveaway from each other within holes 1112 within horizontal supports 1110,and are stopped from further movement by spring stop buttons 1171.

FIGS. 54–55 show portable cart 1201 which can be converted from a cargohauling wagon configuration with cargo well 1290 attached to frame 1255,to a rescue stretcher with taut rescue canvas or other stretcher 1292when stretcher 1292, which sits loosely above hollow well 1290 duringthe cargo hauling configuration, but which becomes taut when peripheralfasteners, such as zippers 1296, snaps or the like tighten stretcher1292 in place about frame 1255.

Optional kickstand 1240 or handle 1280 may be attached to cart 1201 byjoints 1271. A further accessory arm bag 1201 b may be draped down fromhandle 1280 for further storage. An optional hard floor member 1294 maybe provided below stretcher layer 1292 within cargo well 1290 for cargohauling strength.

FIG. 56 shows optional ski attachments 1330 for cart 1301, wherein skiportions 1331 are attached by braces 1332 to vertical struts 1320. Thelength of braces 1332 is equal to the radius of wheels 30 in previousembodiments.

FIG. 57 shows optional platform base 1450 for supporting object such ascamera tripods, cooking devices, ordnance, etc. upon cart 1401. Platformbase 1450 slides within channels 1411 and is secured in place byfasteners such as recessed hex nuts.

FIG. 58 shows a portable cart frame of this invention configured as acargo hauler or as a multi-victim stretcher. The cart includes two outerlongitudinal horizontal parallel rigid load support frame members 1501,which are preferably tubular. The cart also may include an optionalcenter frame member 1502, also preferably tubular, as well as optionaltransverse frame members 1503, overhead tube frame 1505, two vehicleactuators, such as wheels 30 and axle 32. It is contemplated that insnow conditions the vehicle actuators can alternatively be skis, such asshown in FIG. 56 herein.

Also as shown in FIG. 58, fasteners, such as cotter pins 1504 are usedto attach horizontal support members 1501 and 1502 within holes, such ascircular holes for tubular shaped horizontal support members intransverse members 1503.

Also as in FIG. 58, vertical struts having the wheel subassembly withwheel 30 are attached to outer horizontal support members 1501, such astubes, with mechanisms 1506 which permit quick attachment anddetachment. Attachment clamps 1507 secure overhead handle 1505 to outerends of horizontal support members 1501.

Although not shown in the drawings, any of the embodiments herein shownin all the drawing FIGS. 1–70 may have vertical length adjustment means(not shown), such as a sleeve containing a telescoping shaft, the sleevehaving a spring means for urging the shaft in a selectably extendablemanner out of the sleeve and a lock for locking the telescoping shaftinto a selected extended position.

FIG. 59 shows a single cargo or person hauling fabric top surface sheet1512, which can be made of canvas or similar material. Sheet 1512preferably has sewn longitudinal pockets at the outer edges to accepthorizontal support members 1501 and a central pocket 1513 to accommodateoptional central frame member 1502 when inserted in direction 1514 asshown. Optional apron sections 1513 can be flipped over the side edges.

FIG. 60 shows the frame of this cargo hauling or multi-victim cartreadjusted to foreshorten the distance between transverse members 1503by securing cotter pins 1504 in holes in horizontal support members 1501and 1502 which are located farther in from the ends.

As shown in FIG. 61, this adjustment can be used to accommodate separatestretchers 1525 with locating extensions 1526 and handles 1527.

FIGS. 62 and 63 show end views of the quick disconnect/connectmechanisms 1506 (in viewing direction “62—62” in FIG. 58) withhorizontal support member 1501 shown optional as tubular in crosssection. Top clamping member 1532 has slot 1531 which permits it toslide from the locking position shown in FIG. 62 to the unlockedposition of FIG. 63 thereby releasing side horizontal support member1501 from the wheel 32 subassembly which continues below lower clamp jaw1533.

In FIG. 62, spring 1534 is compressed since the locking shaft concentricwith it has been threaded downward by turning handle 1530 in a clockwisedirection.

In FIG. 63, handle 1530 has been turned about 180 degreescounter-clockwise thereby permitting spring 1534 to push up on topmember 1532 releasing horizontal support member 1501.

FIG. 64 is a partial end cross section (in plane “64—64” of FIG. 58) ofclamp 1507. The split 1544 in clamp body 1540 permits selective graspingof horizontal support member 1501 as per the clamping force from screw1542 as applied through knob 1541. Stainless steel insert 1543 preventscollapse of the end of tube 1505 of the overhead assembly.

FIG. 65 shows yet another embodiment of the cart of this invention as aframe for a portable operating room table or a gurney. This portableoperating room table/gurney includes side horizontal support members1550, such as, for example, frame tubes, auxiliary side bars 1551,transverse frame members 1552, vertical struts 1553, overhead supportframes 1554, overhead rails 1555, trolley 1556, and attachment clamps1557. The portable operating room table/gurney rides on four wheels 30with axles 32.

The fully configured gurney is shown in FIG. 66. Additional featuresshown include flexible fluid capture collection sling 1562, fluidcollection tube 1563, fluid collection tank 1564, adjustable side clamp1560, side rest or surgical instrument table 1561, wheel brakes 1558,and overhead accessory 1569 for attaching lights or other surgicalaccessories.

FIGS. 67 and 68 show the construction and operation of wheel brakeassembly 1558. Brake frame 1570 is rigidly attached to vertical strut1553. Upper pivot frame 1572 works in conjunction with handle/link 1574,curved spring link 1573, and plunger shaft 1575 to form an “over-center”mechanism with two stable states, clamped or unclamped.

In FIG. 67, handle 1574 is pushed down into a snap-locked positionpushing tip 1576 into contact with wheel 32 tire 1571 thereby contactingthe top surface and deforming it to prevent wheel 32 from rotating.

FIG. 68 shows the “brake-off” position which is obtained by liftinghandle 1574 past the center position thereby lifting tip 1576 out ofcontact with tire 1571.

FIG. 69 is an end view of adjustable side clamp 1560 with side tube 1550and auxiliary rod 1551 in cross section (see plane “69—69” in FIG. 66).Instrument table 1561 attached to clamp body 1580 can be movedlongitudinally along tube 1561 and locked in place as desired by turningknob 1581 which impinges the end of screw 1582 against horizontalsupport member 1550.

FIG. 70 shows an exploded view of attachment clamp 1557 used in avariety of locations on overhead frames 1554. It includes main body 1590with groove 1591, outer clamp member 1593 with lip 1593 and screw 1596with knob 1595. In operation, lip 1593 pivots within groove 1591; tube1554 is grasped by the concave surfaces of body 1590 and outer member1593 as tightened by screw 1596. A tube end 1594 which can represent atube 1555 or an accessory 1568 is inserted in the hole in the end ofbody 1590 and locked.

FIG. 71 is a flow chart showing the use of the convertible cart/utilitytable of the present invention in a medical emergency response triageenvironment.

For example, in disaster medical care, triage is the medical screeningof patients to determine their relative priority for treatment. Threegroups are defined, the first is those casualties not expected tosurvive even with treatment, second is the group who will recoverwithout treatment, and third the highest priority group who needtreatment in order to survive. FIG. 71 illustrates how the convertiblecart/utility table (CCUT) of this invention can be utilized in thisenvironment.

For example, as in FIG. 71, incoming casualties 1650 arrive at triagecenter 1652 by ambulance, helicopter or otherwise. Here they arescreened into the three categories, labeled “Type 1”, “Type 2” and “Type3” and those who can be treated are then transported via exit path 1654to field hospital unit 1656 by using a wheeled version of theConvertible cart/utility table (CCUT). After prep at a Pre-OperativeStation, the patient is wheeled via path 1658 to the Operating Room (OR)where a table version of the Convertible cart/utility table (CCUT) isused in a utility table mode as an operating platform. Patient is thenwheeled upon Convertible cart/utility table (CCUT) via path 1660 to thePost-Operative/Post Recovery station for monitoring, which may be done,on either a wheeled or table version of Convertible cart/utility table(CCUT). The patient may need further surgery, which would requiretransporting wheeled on Convertible cart/utility table (CCUT) back viapath 1666 to the Pre-Operative Station. If Patient is sufficientlyrecovered, he or she is transported via path 1662 upon wheeledConvertible cart/utility table (CCUT) back to triage center 1652vicinity for further transportation merging with others from triage inthe outgoing exit queue path 1664.

FIG. 72 shows an exploded view of the major components of convertiblecart/utility table (CCUT) 1700 for supporting stretcher 1730 thereon.These include axle support struts 1712 with rail clamps 1716 at the topends and wheels 1718 located by axle 1715. Kick stands 1704, used withheavy duty rail clamps 1714, convert convertible cart/utility table(CCUT) to the stationary utility table configuration. Adjustable feet1710 provide a high friction surface and terrain adjustability. Macroadjustment of leveling or height is via multiple holes 1706, inkickstand like 1704, which accept spring pin 1713 attached near the endof foot extension 1708. Side rails 1702 complete the basic structure.

FIG. 73 shows side rails 1702, which are mounted to kickstands 1704 byclamps 1714, which engage tubing rails 1702. Tubing rails 1702 havemiddle connecting tube 1723 and side tubes 1722, connected byconnectors, such as, for example, spring pins and holes.

FIG. 74 shows convertible cart/utility table (CCUT) 1700 configured as autility table with auxiliary power pack 1732 and stretcher 1730.

FIG. 75 shows the feature, which tilts the table top by adjusting theheight of kickstands 1704 on different ends at different heights. FIG.75 also shows an optional body fluid capture collector 1760 such as aconcave sling connected to a medical waste collector 1762.

FIG. 76 shows details of kickstand foot 1710. Threshold shaft 1752 isscrewed into nut 1754 and into foot extension 1713 thereby providing amicro adjustment of height up to about one inch. High friction pad 1756and tilt adjustment ball and socket joint 1754 complete foot 1710.

FIG. 77 shows reversible clamp 1800, as in FIG. 43A, which is used withconvertible cart/utility table (CCUT) 1700. It includes housing block1802, with rail aperture 1812, which clamps onto tubing 1722 via leverscrew 1814. Groove 1816 receives tubing rail 1730, such as that from astretcher, which rail 1730 is locked in place via over-center clamp 1804with jaw 1808, operable by actuator lever 1810. The opposite grooves1818, 1820 and 1822 are spaced laterally to accommodate stretchers ofdifferent widths. These can be optionally locked via a clamp 1806 havinga jaw similar to jaw 1808, which is moved to the desired groove 1818,1820 or 1822.

FIG. 78 shows reversible clamp 1800 inverted to use the multiple widthgrooves 1818, 1820 or 1822.

FIGS. 79 and 80 show details of heavy duty clamp 1900, which has upperblock 1902 with groove 1904 to receive a stretcher side tube 1730.Over-center latch 1906 locks stretcher tube via jaw 1910 and actuatorlever 1908. Lower block 1912 has side rail groove 1920, holding rail1722, which groove 1920 is lockable via latch 1914 with jaw 1918 andlever 1916. Lower extension 1922 accommodates either stretcher tube orfluid drape in groove 1924.

The end view of clamp 1900 in FIG. 81 shows that upper retaining latchblock 1932 can pivot to permit stretcher tube 1930 to tilt relative toside rail 1722.

In the more complete perspective view of FIG. 82, it can be seen thatthe lower (foot) end of stretcher rail 1731 of stretcher 1730 is thensupported by recess or groove 1924 in the lower extension 1922 of thesecond clamp 1900.

FIG. 83 depicts auxiliary pivotable medical support platform assembly2000 including base 2001, clamp insert 2002 and platform 2003. Thisversatile mechanism clamps onto a side rail of the convertiblecart/utility table (CCUT). Body limb member support 2004 holds a limb.Assembly 2000 has movable hinge section can swivel relative to clampbase 2016.

FIG. 84 shows medical support platform assembly 2000 with pole 2022 usedto support intravenous (IV) bag 2026 with infusion line 2028. Extensionrod 2024 provides more height for proper infusion gravity head. Tray2030 is similarly supported.

FIG. 85 shows medical support assembly 2000 used to support gooseneckexamination/surgical lamp 2040 attached to flexible neck conduit 2042held in and movable arm support 2046.

FIG. 86 shows another use of medical support assembled 2000 to supportmultiple instrument trays 2050.

It is further noted that other modifications may be made to the presentinvention, without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. A low profile rescue carrier comprising: a modular load support framethat can be alternately assembled and dis-assembled, said modular framebeing comprised of a pair of spaced and parallel horizontally disposedelongated rigid load support members; a vertically extending straightand rigid strut extending down from a midsection of each of saidhorizontal load support members; each said vertical strut having a lowerend with an axle mounting means at said lower end; an axle extendingthrough and joining both said axle mounting means said axle having atleast one vehicle movement actuator of a pair of vehicle movementactuators attached at opposite sides of said cart; said axle in joiningand contacting both said movement actuators of said cart; said axletraversing through said respective struts; a stretcher removablyattached to said modular load support frame; and, said cart furthercomprising rotatable handles at each end of each horizontal load supportmember, each said handle rotating in a plane at right angles to andabout a longitudinal axis of each said horizontal load support member.2. The movable support as in claim 1, wherein said handles lock in anupper position for hauling said cart, and reverse to a lower positioncontacting the ground surface for operating as a kickstand.
 3. A movablesupport collapsible for storage and transport and expandable for use incarrying a load, comprising: a modular load support frame comprising apair of spaced, horizontal support members with at least one axlecarrying strut extending downward from said load support frame, aclamping means for releasably engaging said strut to said support frame,and a receiving member for receiving an adjustably removable handlemember adjacent each end of each horizontal support member; said axlecarrying strut having a lower end with an axle mounting means at saidlower end, at least one axle extending through each said strut, saidaxle having at least one vehicle movement actuator; a carrier releasableattached to said load support frame; and each said handle member beingindependently rotatable about each respective load support member in aplane at right angles to a longitudinal axis of each support member. 4.The movable support as in claim 3, each said handle member locking intoan upright position for hauling said cart.
 5. The movable support as inclaim 4, wherein each said handle member further comprising a kickstandwhen in a downwardly extending substantially vertical orientation. 6.The movable support as in claim 5, each said handle member furthercomprising a first grip oriented along the longitudinal axis of eachsupport member and second outer grip spaced from and parallel to saidfirst grip.
 7. The movable support as in claim 6, wherein each saidhandle member is lockable in at least two positions, said positionscomprising the upright position for hauling said cart and the downwardlyextending orientation a for use as a kickstand.
 8. The movable supportas in any of claims 4, 6, or 7, wherein said handle member is locked inplace with a spring pin.
 9. A movable support collapsible for storageand transport and expandable for use in carrying a load, comprising: amodular load support member comprising at least one axle carrying strutsextending downward therefrom, a receiving member for receiving anadjustably removable handle tube and optionally a clamping means; saidaxle carrying strut having a lower end with an axle mounting means atsaid lower end, at feast one axle extending through each said verticalstrut, each said axle having at least one vehicle movement actuator of apair of vehicle movement actuators attached at opposite sides of saidcart; a carrier attachable to said load support member, wherein whensaid carrier supports a load thereupon at least one handle member forhauling said movable support, said handle member comprising: a handlehaving a handle outer surface, a handle tube and removably adjustablyconnecting to said axle carrying strut; said handle member beingrotatable along the longitudinal axis of said load support member; saidhandle comprising a grip located coaxially to said handle tube and anouter grip parallel to said handle tube in rigid connection with saidcoaxial grip, said outer surface of said handle extends to the ground,said handle member locking in at least two positions, said positionscomprising an upward position for hauling said cart and a downwardposition for use as a kickstand; said handle member locking in placewith a spring pin.
 10. A movable support as in claim 9, said positionsfurther comprising a locking position wherein said handle member issubstantially horizontal for stowing cart.